London 2012 GB Women.

Sitting Volleyball: Facts for London 2012

Here’s a list of interesting things you should know about Sitting Volleyball at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Aug 2012

1. Who, what when?

There were 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams competing for gold from 30 August – 8 September.

2. Where?

The Sitting Volleyball competition took place at the ExCeL, the largest competition venue at the London 2012 Games. The venue was made up of five arenas, and following the Games it will revert to its role as one of Europe’s largest and most versatile exhibition spaces.

3. Classification

In Sitting Volleyball, there are two classifications: disabled and minimally disabled. Only one minimally disabled player can be on the court for each team at a time.

4. History

Sitting Volleyball first began in the Netherlands in the 1950’s as a combination of volleyball and a German game called sitzbal. It significantly increased in popularity during the 1960’s and today is played in more than 50 countries.

5. Paralympic debut

Sitting Volleyball made its Paralympic debut at the Arnhem 1980 Games, at London 2012 there were 198 athletes competing in the sport.

6. Basics

Sitting Volleyball is played by two teams of six and the rules are similar to the sport’s Olympic counterpart. However, a part of an athlete’s body between the buttocks and shoulder must be in contact with the court whenever a shot, or attempt at a shot, is made. Each team is allowed three touches of the ball before it crosses over the net.

7. Scoring

All matches are played to the best of five sets, with the first four sets going to 25 points. The fifth set goes to 15 points, and all sets must be won by at least two points.

8. Field of play

The Sitting Volleyball court is 10m long and 6m wide. It is divided into two halves by a net that is 1.15m high for the men’s game and 1.05m high for the women’s.

9. Competition format

At London 2012, teams were divided into pools for preliminary play. The top eight men’s teams and top four women’s teams will qualify for the knockout phase.

10. Beijing 2008

At the Beijing 2008 Games, Iran won gold in the men’s competition, Bosnia and Herzegovina took silver and Russia claimed bronze. On the women’s side, China snatched gold, as USA grabbed silver and the Netherlands got bronze.

11. Governing body

Sitting Volleyball is governed by the World Organization Volleyball for the Disabled (WOVD), which produces all of the rules and regulations for the sport.